Editors Guild of India condemns arrest of Hyderabad journalist

New Delhi, Mar 12: The Editors Guild of India has voiced serious concern over the reported arrest of Hyderabad-based journalist Ms. Revathi Pogadadanda by the city’s cybercrime police early on Wednesday morning. Reports indicate that Ms. Pogadadanda, along with her husband, was taken from her home at dawn. The arrest is believed to be linked to a video published on her YouTube channel, in which a farmer criticszed the state chief minister.

Some accounts suggest that the video contained language deemed derogatory and did not meet expected journalistic standards.

While refraining from commenting on the content of the video, the Guild has urged the Telangana government to ensure that any action taken against journalists follows proper legal procedures and respects the principles of free speech and justice. The Guild emphasized that the pre-dawn nature of the arrest raises significant concerns about the potential misuse of police powers in such cases. The Editors Guild has called on the Telangana government to guarantee Ms. Pogadadanda’s rights and personal safety. Simultaneously, it has reminded journalists of their responsibility to uphold fairness and accuracy in their reporting, ensuring news is presented ethically and without intent to harm. A free yet responsible press remains vital to the health of a robust democracy.